I brewed Denny's BVIP on Sunday and the only Goldings I could get were in pellet form. I didn't think this would be a big deal, since the Magnum hops were leaf hops. When it came time to drain the converted keg after cooling with my immersion chiller, I let it sit for five minutes. I opened the ball valve and slowly increased it to full open within 15 seconds as I usually do. The keg drained approximately half of the 11 gallons and then it began to slow to a stop. I had to use a long handle spoon to move the sediment back and forth along the length of the Bazooka screen to keep the flow running. This introduced a lot of particulate into the fermenter.

My question is, if I take out the Bazoooka screen and draw from the side of the kettle, how close to the side does everybody keep their pick up tube and is it a good idea to sheath it in some braided stainless?

My converted keg kettle has the pickup tube (fashioned from 1/2 inch copper pipe) at the side of the bottom. Over the end of the tube I have affixed a stainless scrubbie that is held against the bottom. I whirlpool the wort with a mash paddle for a couple of minutes at the end of the boil, cover it and let it stand for about 10 minutes. There is a nice cone of trub and hop residue that collects in the center of the bottom and is largely undisturbed when I drain. About two quarts of splooge is left behind.

Of course I also use hop bags (sheer nylon knee-high hose) with pellets.

I whirlpool and let it settle for about 15 minutes. I have my Bazooka screen along the perimeter. And then I pump into the boil kettle. Even with 10 gallon batches of Pliny the Elder I rarely get the screen clogged. Brew on, Tom